Implementation - Building tension

 In my previous planning post, I explained that I wanted to experiment with shallow depth of field and selective focus as a way to build tension. Rather that relying relying solely on dialogue or music, I wanted to use cinematography to visually restrict what the audience can clearly see . Through my research, I found that limiting visual clarity creates unease because it forces that audiences to question what is happening beyond the focused subject.

This is a picture I took of Lego's

What happened ?

So, I recreates a shallow focus setup using two Lego figures placed at different distances from the camera against a black background. The figure positioned closer to the camera remained in sharp focus, while the figure placed further back became blurred. By adjusting the distance between them, I was able to control how distorted that background appeared. 

When the foreground Lego was clear and the background Lego was blurred the image immediately created tension. Although the second figure was not fully visible, its silhouette could still be identified. This partial visibility is important because it creates uncertainty rather than complete concealment. The audience becomes aware that something is present, but can’t fully interpret it.  

Purpose to the film : 

This experiment directly links to our film opening, especially in the moment where Lena begins to feel unwell after drinking from her cup. When she says, “My head kind of hurts” we plan to subtly introduce a blur effect to represent her disorientation. Instead of cutting immediately to something dramatic, the blur will gradually increase. This progression mirrors the way the drug takes effect, aligning the audience with Lena’s perspective.

In the car scene, as her breathing slows and her eyes begin to close, the blur can become more intense. Michael, who is in control of the situation, may remain clearer in frame while Lena’s perspective becomes increasingly distorted. This contrast reinforces the power imbalance between them.

When implementing shallow focus in this way, cinematography becomes a storytelling device rather then just a visual choice. The blur effect is not random but motivated by Lena’s physical and mental state, strengthening the thriller conventions or uncertainty and unease